Sunday, August 3, 2008

The first couple days...

JOS CREW (@ Faith Alive Hospital)
Hey Nativity!!
We finally got a minute today to us the internet and we wanted to quickly update you all of our progress here in Jos. We arrived in Nigeria on Thursday evening unscathed and happy, but definetly a little tired. All of boxes of medication reached their destination and survived Customs. All of our donations are now currently being used for great causes! Thank you!

Our entire group of 11 stayed in a Guest House on Thursday evening in Abuja, because Dr. Chris decided it was too late to drive the Abuja Crew to the outskirts of the city. Here in Nigeria, it is safer to travel during the daylight hours and travel at night is not recommended. After waking up on Friday, the Orphanage Group was dropped off at their site where they began working and interacting with the children at the Poorest of the Poor. On Saturday, the group traveled to an Area called Benin, to visit with the family of Sr. Oresoa, the founder of the Poorest of the Poor. They are having a great time with the children, and have been spent alot of time singing and teaching them praise and worship songs.

As for the Faith Alive Group, we left the guest house in Abuja after the Orphanage Group, and began our drive to Jos (about 3 hours). After arriving in Jos, we ate lunch with staff from Faith Alive and met other volunteers who will be working with us at the Hospital. One group of 12 volunteers are from the Naval Academy in Annapolis, and all of them are here for the first time. On Saturday, we attended a Cultural Ceremony with lots of dancing and singing, and many of us were selected to impress the audience with our own American dance moves and songs. (Paul and Jason will not comment! lol) The rest of the afternoon was filled with storms and rain, which cancelled most of our other plans for the day.

Right now, it is 2:30pm in the afternoon on Sunday here in Jos, and we are getting ready to attend the Support Group meeting, where we hope to get footage for a video documentary of our trip. I would liek to say hello to my family, and pass along my love! We are all having a great time and are all moved by the people of Jos. We have been treated with great kindness and generosity, and I continue to be amazed by their joy and compassion for strangers. Their happiness and joy are truely contagious! We are in good hands!

-Jason

Somethings the group members would like for me pass along:

Teresa: The people have been amazing. Their kindness and generosity are astounding and the food has been enjoyable aswell. She was also impressed by the church service this morning, which we attended at St. Louis Catholic Church. She would like to pass along her love to her entire family, especially to Tony and the Kids. She also says don't worry about her, she is doing very well!!

Paul: Mom, Dad, Maureen, and Aunt Angie
Im doing great! This trip has completely surpassed my expectations. We have been welcomed with open arms. They definately weren't kidding about it being the rainy season. As im writing this blog there is a terrential downpour going on outside. Love you all see you soon!

Molly: To all my family and friends
Just wanted you to know that I am doing well! The people I have met here are amazing and I really don't have words to describe this place. It is awesome! I am looking forward to starting work in the hospital this week. Don't worry about me I am doing great and even have tried some of the food here! Love you all!

Lauren: things are going well here and the food is awesome! Its taking time for my stomach to agree with it though. The people here are astounding to me...everyone is so friendly and absolutley lovely. The children absolutely blow my mind. All they want to do is hug us and hold our hands and have us take their pictures. I think when it is time to leave I will miss them horribly. I love you mom...stop worrying everything is terrific. I miss you, Tawny, and Kaylea very much and can't wait to give you all big hugs. I miss you Matt and I promise to keep in touch and let you know everything thats going on so you'll stop worrying too. All my love always!

9 comments:

Christopher, Sophia and Tony said...

Mom,

We are happy to read that you are doing well and having a good time. We are enjoying the beach and wish you were here. The weather is perfect and so is the beach house. We are leaving now to go to the pier and do some crabbing. Looking forward to reading more about your trip.

Love,

Chris, Sophie and Dad

Mimi W. said...

We just rec'd a call from Glenn, who sounded incredible. She said that everyone in the group is doing great.

Yesterday they traveled about 6 hours from Abuja to Benin, where Sr. O's parents live. Glenn said she thinks Sr. O must be from a prominent family, as their home is quite nice, large and gated.

They distributed food to a group of mentally retarded people, many of whom spend the day chained to the ground so they won't run away. This had a profound effect on Glenn (as it does me, just hearing about it)--she is also amazed at the teenage mothers who have absolutely no support with their babies; they do nothing but hold and tend to their babies 24/7. The Nativity group will be ministering to these mothers, and hopefully giving them a little break.

I am relieved to hear (and read via the blog!) that everyone is doing so well. We are thinking and praying for everyone daily, if not hourly. You all are doing astounding work, and we are so DARN proud!

mdigiac said...

Hi Andrea

Hugs and kisses from everyone in Ocean City

Keep up the good work

Love Dad

Susan said...

Grandpop-
We're glad to hear things are going well. We are having fun at the beach, but miss you very much. You all are in our daily prayers. Keep up the good work.
Love,
Kelsey, Sydney and John
(Mary, Susan, and Craig)

Unknown said...

Molly:

We are glad everything is going so well for everyone. Our prayers are with you and the rest of the group. We miss you but are glad you are having this awesome experience. We love you.
Mom and Dad, Katie Meghan and Erin

Angie D said...

A,
We have three great days at the beach! Last night we went mini-golfing all 14 of us it was crazy we lost three balls in the water. Oh yea, we also stood in line at ice cream castle for about an hour for ice cream! Today, we got scopes done which was of course eventful. It's a little wierd without you here its been along time since any of us have missed this week! Good luck!

Pop said he missed you last night while we were eating macaroni.

We are always thinking of and praying for you and the group. You all are doing a great job and we are so proud of you!

Write us back if you get a chance!
We love you!

P.S. We just read all of the blogs out loud to everyone at lunch!

NATIVITY:NIGERIA said...

Hello missionaries:)
We were all so excited here at Nativity to read your blog entry and we're glad to know everyone is doing well! We cannot wait to hear stories and see amazing pictures!

jason-say hello to everyone in Jos for me, especially Blessing, Dr. Chris, Godwin, Biana and Helen :)
bob-same goes for you too with Sr. oresoa and anyone. we know...

love to you all! May God saturate you will grace!
love, kristin

Meg said...

Dad,

We are glad to hear everyone is doing well. We have been thinking about you daily and hope the heat is tolerable. If it is any consolation (probably not)...it has been pretty hot here as well. We are all proud of you and think what you are doing is great. I’m sure you will have many stories for us when you get back. Livi decided to clean out her room and give a bunch of her toys to kids that need them. She said she wanted to help kids like Grandpop was doing in Africa. Things are good on our end. We are taking the kids to Hershey Park on Friday, but they don’t know it yet. Stay safe and enjoy the experience. We love you!

Love,
Meg, Chris, Cam, Livi & Creighton

shelley said...

Hi Teresa!

What a wonderful journey! I am proud of you & this endeavor! I look forward to hearing more about it when you return!